Shirley Muldowney, also known as the “First Lady of Drag Racing,” is a true pioneer of motorsport, breaking into the male-dominated world of drag racing as the first woman licensed by the NHRA to compete in Top Fuel. Throughout her career, Muldowney collected 18 NHRA national event wins, including three Top Fuel championship titles in 1977, 1980, and 1982, paving the way for future generations of female racers. Now, Muldowney is honored with this custom 1969 Chevy Nova build from Red River Customs with over 1,000 horsepower on tap.
Nicknamed the Cha Cha Nova as a nod to Muldowney’s racing moniker, Red River Customs unveiled its new build at the 2024 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Designed in collaboration with Muldowney, the Cha Cha Nova is infused with bespoke details front to back, while under the hood, you’ll find a 632 cubic-inch V8 engine paired with a Tremec TKX six-speed transmission to deliver on the promised performance.
Outside, the Cha-Cha Nova features extensive carbon fiber elements, including a custom-made hood, deck lid, and bumpers, all finished in a dazzling berry candy color. This vibrant finish is complemented by pink-painted suspension components. SpeedTech front and rear suspension with QA1 shocks keep it straight, while Baer brakes throw the anchor.
Inside, the Cha Cha Nova continues to pay homage to Muldowney with custom graphics for the two Holley digital dashboards. The seats also feature laser-etched names of all the drag strips where Muldowney raced.
The Cha-Cha Nova prototype that debuted at SEMA is set to go to auction at the Mecum Kissimmee event in Florida on January 18th. Muldowney herself will take it for a spin before the sale to make sure it’s dialed in. This special vehicle is the first in a limited production run of just 25 units. Each car in the series will include a certificate of authenticity, signed by Muldowney, and feature unique badging under license from Shirley Muldowney Enterprises.
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